In the beginning of most relationships, romance is not in short supply. But as time rolls on, we get more comfortable with our partners, and often as a result, less romantic. And once there are children in the picture, we tend to forget what romance is.
In order to keep your relationship strong and be good parents, however, it is very important to keep the romance alive. Unfortunately, that can be hard to do when you’ve got the kids to deal with, and perhaps a limited budget. But it’s not impossible. Having a romantic evening at home can rekindle your passion for your partner without putting a strain on the bank account. Here’s how to do it.
1. Plan around the kids. If your children are in school, perhaps they participate in extracurricular activities that take them away from home on some nights. If they’re younger, maybe you could take them to spend the night with the grandparents. And if all else fails, you can always schedule the festivities after their bedtime.
2. Cook your significant other’s favorite dish for dinner. It’s much cheaper than ordering out, and he or she will appreciate it more because you took the time to make it. If your partner likes to try new things you could attempt a new dish, but make sure it’s not too complicated. If you have a kitchen mishap, it could put a damper on the entire evening.
3. Dress up just like you would if you were going out to a fancy restaurant. Even though you’re staying home, getting all gussied up for that special someone is a wonderful way to show your affection. So break out the fancy dress and the high heels, or the suit and tie.
4. Get a good bottle of wine for the occasion. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive vintage you can find. The best you can afford will do. Or if you really want to celebrate, pick up some champagne or sparkling wine.
5. Don’t forget the fresh flowers. You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money on them. You could even pick some out of the garden and arrange them in a vase. Roses are the universal symbol of love, but carnations, or even tulips or lilies, will do just fine.
6. Put on some romantic music and enjoy one another’s company. After all, that’s what a romantic evening is all about, isn’t it? Even if you can’t go all out, having some time alone together will do you and your partner some good.
A romantic evening doesn’t have to cost a bundle. You can have just as much fun together at home as you would if you went out, and you’ll also have more privacy. You could even make it a once-a-month (or once-a-week) event if you like!
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Parents often want to help their children pay for college, but saving up the money isn’t always easy. When you’re just scraping by, it can be difficult to set aside money for future education needs. Some parents hope that their children will qualify for scholarships and financial aid that will get them through, but that doesn’t always happen.
If your child is ready for college but needs money for tuition, he can take out a student loan. He won’t have to repay it until he is finished with school, but even so, it can hurt his finances for many years. If you want your child to graduate without having to worry about debt, a PLUS Loan is a great way to get the money he needs.
PLUS Loans are available to parents of all dependent students who are enrolled at least half-time in an eligible undergraduate program at an eligible institution. They are also available to graduate students, but undergraduates may not apply for them directly. The proceeds of the loan may be used to pay for a variety of education-related expenses, including tuition, books, supplies and housing. The applicant may borrow up to the yearly cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid received.
One of the great things about PLUS Loans is that they are not awarded according to financial need. The borrower will have to pass a credit check, but even credit requirements are not as strict as they are for most loans. Most parents will qualify as long as they haven’t recently undergone bankruptcy, foreclosure, repossession or a similar adverse action. If a parent cannot pass the credit check, they may still be able to get the loan by getting a co-signer or by demonstrating extenuating circumstances.
Repayment of PLUS Loans is quite flexible. Parents may begin repayment 60 days after the funds are disbursed, or they may wait until six months after the student graduates or is no longer enrolled at least half-time. Borrowers who are having trouble repaying PLUS Loans may request a deferment or forbearance in the event of financial hardship.
PLUS Loans once had a variable interest rate, but today the interest is fixed. An disbursement fee of up to 4% may be charged each time funds are disbursed. Late fees and collection costs may be charged if payments are not made on time.
A PLUS Loan is by no means the first option that parents of college-bound students should explore. If grants or scholarships are available, they should be pursued first, because they do not have to be repaid. But a PLUS Loan can help if these types of aid are not available to the student, or if they do not cover the entire cost of college.
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When you’re strapped for cash and an unforeseen emergency occurs, you need quick access to funds. If you have a credit card, you can get what you need with no problem as long as you’re not too close to your credit limit. But if you don’t have a credit card or you don’t have good credit, it’s not that easy.
This is where payday loans come in. A payday loan is a loan that requires the borrower to write a post-dated check for the amount to be borrowed, plus a finance charge. The lender then gives the borrower the money, and when the borrower gets paid, the check is cashed. There is no credit check, and the only requirements are an active checking account and a regular source of income.
So what’s the catch? There are a few:
* Payday loan companies charge insane amounts of interest. The loans they make have an average APR of 400%, but some charge as much as 5,000% interest. And you though interest was high on credit cards!
* If you can’t afford to repay the loan on your next payday, you must notify the lender right away so that the check will not be cashed. If you fail to do so and the check bounces, you could be charged fees by both your bank and the payday lender.
* If you must extend a payday loan, you’ll have to write another post-dated check and pay another finance charge. This can turn into a vicious cycle, and you could end up paying more in interest than you actually borrowed.
Because of the high interest, payday loans are illegal in some states. Other states allow them, but due to strict regulations, payday lenders may choose not to operate in some of these states.
When Should I Get a Payday Loan?
If possible, it is best to avoid payday loans altogether. If you can borrow money from a friend or relative or postpone the expense until after you get paid, you’ll be much better off. But there are certain situations in which a payday loan can be helpful.
Some people take out payday loans to get their cars repaired. If it’s an urgent repair and you need the car to get to work, it’s probably better to go ahead with the payday loan if there is no other alternative. Or if you need to see a doctor and do not have insurance, a payday loan could get you the medical care you need. But if your situation is not an emergency like these, there are probably alternatives that are not as expensive or risky.
Before you get a payday loan, it’s important to consider all of your alternatives. If the expense can wait, or if you can get the money some other way, you’re better off leaving payday loans alone. And if you do end up getting a payday loan, it’s important to pay it off as quickly as possible. If you don’t, it could get you in more financial trouble than you’re already in.
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